Saskatchewan consumers and liquor stores ready to cut out U.S. booze

Saskatchewan shoppers and retailers are happy to cut out American booze after the provincial government’s decision to end the sale of U.S. alcohol in the province amid the trade war.

Varun Patel, the manager at Avalon Liquor in Saskatoon, said he’s ready to support Canadian and locally made alcohol.

“We don’t want to sell much American now,” he said.

While the store is still stocked with American booze, Patel said he hopes to quickly get those items off the shelf. He said his business has already paid for the American products it has in stock, so he hopes people will still buy it so that he doesn’t lose money on the purchases.

He said his business has already paid for the American products it has in stock, so he hopes people will still buy it so that he doesn’t lose money on the purchases.

“This is already paid off,” he explained, pointing to American alcohol products. “So if people will not support us until we sell it, then we as Canadians will lose money.”

“Once we get rid of this, we are ready to support just Canadian and not support American at all,” Patel added.

Patel said he’s noticed a growing trend of shoppers looking to buy only Canadian products.

“A lot of people are asking ‘Is it Canadian or American?'” he said. “So we have started putting flags of Canada on the products, and we also have some printed for Saskatchewan.”

Patel added stickers to products so customers know which brands are Canadian. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

Most shoppers said the change wouldn’t impact them.

“I buy Canadian anyway,” said one man. “It’s good that they’re getting rid of (American products).”

Another shopper said he was in favour of the decision, even though he has family in the California wine country.

“It’s unfortunate for them, but at least there’s more wine for them,” he said.

Saskatchewan to end U.S. alcohol sales, procurement in response to tariffs

Saskatchewan’s premier unveiled the province’s response to tariffs from the United States on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking in Regina, Premier Scott Moe said he has directed the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority to end its purchasing of U.S. alcohol, and has ordered that goods and services procured by the provincial government must prioritize Canadian suppliers “with the goal of reducing or eliminating US procurement.”

Any future capital projects have been paused, the government noted, and contractors working on projects currently in progress will be asked to report on American products being used, and reduce that amount.

The provincial government said it expects school divisions, municipalities and post-secondary institutions to adopt similar policies around procurement, in order to prioritize Canadian products and services.

“These extraordinary measures are a direct response to President Trump’s unjustified tariffs and a direct attack on the Canadian economy,” Moe said in a statement.

Liquor retailers will no longer be able to order alcohol produced in the U.S., the government noted, but may sell their remaining inventory if they choose to do so.

“This approach defends the interests of Saskatchewan’s economy while avoiding negative impacts on Saskatchewan’s liquor retailers who have already purchased U.S. products,” the provincial government explained in a release.

—with files from 650 CKOM’s Mia Holowaychuk